How To(s) relating to Email Laws

Summary: Preparation for our Germany Email Summit next week got us thinking about the challenges of conducting international email campaigns. One of the most important issues is how to adapt email content for language and cultural differences in each country.

So we went back to this article from our archive, which collects proven advice on email localization from experienced global marketers. Includes tactics for:
o Hiring translators
o Using appropriate images
o Adjusting tone for cultural differences continue...

Summary: Over the past two months, a half dozen different MarketingSherpa readers have alerted us to say they or their clients are being asked to pay a fee by email patent owner(s). We've interviewed a bunch of patent lawyers to get practical advice for you, if you're the next marketer contacted. Plus, this article includes hotlinks to eight sites and blogs that may be helpful for you. continue...

Summary: On average, roughly 8-12% of names on any US email list collected online belong to people who are not located in the US. You may not know how high this number is for your own list, because folks all over the world have regular .com-style addresses at Hotmail, Gmail, etc. So, it's probably smart for you to have at least passing knowledge of the international email laws that may affect you. Our quick, handy round-up features summaries of laws in:
- Canada
- The European Union & The UK (not always the same)
- Australia
Plus, we collected the 21 most-useful related links for you. continue...

Summary: In Part II of our special how-to report on Do Not Email lists (also known as "suppression files") you'll get:

Quick profiles of 4 suppression vendors
14-question quiz to help you evaluate vendors
What to do about viral email forwards & CAN-SPAM
Do Not Email list security concerns & solutions

Also includes practical advice on what to do with names who ask to be put on your Do Not Email list, but then sign up for your regular email again afterwards: continue...

Summary: SUMMARY: Do Not Email lists (also known as "suppression files") are the hottest topic in email. Although the Feds haven't made a definitive judgment as to whether there will be national DNE list, it appears that every marketer sending email to US addresses must start their own in-house DNE list to be compliant with CAN-SPAM.

We've been deluged with reader letters asking exactly how to go about this, if it affects them (answer: yes it does), and if there are any low-cost vendors to use.

Here's Part I of our quick help guide for you: continue...

Summary: Last week the CAN-SPAM lawsuits started, and it's already obvious that even "good guys" like home improvement guru Bob Vila are targets.

We really don't want to be fear mongers. But the fact is, almost invariably when we interview marketers sending email they admit they have not taken critical steps to avoid being hit with a lawsuit. (No, adding your mailing address and opt-out links is not nearly enough.)

Come on guys! It's CYA (cover your ass) time. Here's how: continue...

Summary: On June 17th Bob Caldwell, President and CEO of RHC Direct, was considerably startled to hear his company was identified in a televised interview with Microsoft officials as a junk mailer they were filing suit against.

We advise everyone sending broadcast email today (not matter how perfectly-permission-based you are) to read Caldwell's practical advice on that you need to do starting *today* to fight lawsuits. Includes specific tips for everyone building a house-list database. continue...